'Arguably one of the best players since we arrived' - Danny Cowley on how Portsmouth cope without Jack Whatmough

Danny Cowley has rued the ongoing absence of Jack Whatmough.
Against AFC Wimbledon, Jack Whatmough will serve the final match of his four-game ban. Picture: Joe PeplerAgainst AFC Wimbledon, Jack Whatmough will serve the final match of his four-game ban. Picture: Joe Pepler
Against AFC Wimbledon, Jack Whatmough will serve the final match of his four-game ban. Picture: Joe Pepler

But he is convinced Pompey still possess the options to tighten up defensively at AFC Wimbledon for the 24-year-old’s last match missing.

Whatmough was handed a four-game suspension earlier this month following his red card at MK Dons – his second of the campaign.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

Subsequently, the Blues have shipped in three goals in each of their trips to Swindon (3-1) and Accrington (3-3).

They are on the road once more on Saturday, in a must-win occasion to strengthen play-off hopes.

But Whatmough will again be on the sidelines as he serves out the final fixture of his ban.

Cowley told The News: ‘We miss Jack, he has arguably been one of the best players since we’ve arrived, really consistent.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

‘You are always going to miss your key players, but he’s not available and we have to find a way.

‘We’ve had lots of challenges with both suspensions and injuries. We can either moan, whinge or make excuses – or you can find a way.

‘Bearing in mind we’ve lost Jack, we’ve been fortunate that defence is the one position where we have got competition for places.

‘All of our focus at this moment is Wimbledon, but as soon as Jack is available, he is going to put his hand up and give us the selection dilemmas that we want.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

‘We always want competition for places. It has hurt us that we haven’t had enough competition at the top end of the pitch.’

Read More
For the latest Pompey news direct to your inbox sign up for our free newsletter

James Bolton was recalled to Pompey’s side in a back three at Accrington on Tuesday night.

Despite his substitution at half time, he remains an option, at Wimbledon should Cowley stick with the system.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

Alternatively, with Lee Brown coming back, Cowley could return to a back four.

The Blues’ head coach added: ‘James (Bolton) is a fantastic professional footballer. If I could bottle his attitude and work ethic, I would be a rich man.

‘He gets the very, very most out of himself, every single game. I have absolutely huge admiration for James.’

A message from the Editor, Mark Waldron

The News has launched a subscription offer which gives you unlimited access to all of our Pompey coverage, starting at less than 14p a day.

You can subscribe here to get the latest news from Fratton Park - and to support our local team of expert Pompey writers.

Comment Guidelines

National World encourages reader discussion on our stories. User feedback, insights and back-and-forth exchanges add a rich layer of context to reporting. Please review our Community Guidelines before commenting.